Thursday, June 2, 2011

Chanel Riva Comparisons

Back when I swatched Riva, I said I wanted to compare it to the then-new Revlon, Blue Lagoon. As usual, it took me a while to get around to doing that; while I was at it, I pulled out Hard Candy Sky to join the fun.



Once I had them side by side and took a close look, I was pretty sure that Blue Lagoon was not the Riva alternative I was searching for, though Sky showed promise. Here are bottle closeups (Revlon first, then Chanel, then Hard Candy):







For comparison purposes, I used three coats of each polish, no top coat. I was going to crop my index finger out of the shot below since it's not needed to show the differences between the colors but then I thought "no, I'm going to leave it in so people can see what a mess Riva can be".


Top to bottom: Riva, Sky, Riva, Blue Lagoon.


Yeah, so Blue Lagoon is no match for Riva. It's brighter and more opaque, with larger and more irregular shimmer. Sky is also more opaque than Riva but much closer to it in color, just bit lighter perhaps. Adding some clear to Sky might make it resemble Riva more, but that would probably make it streakier, and if I want streaks, I can just use Riva.


Top to bottom: Sky, Riva, Blue Lagoon.


This won't be the last Riva comparison I do; I have Barry M Blue Moon in my possession but need to wait to try it until my swap partner gets the things I sent her. C'mon USPS & Royal Mail!

17 comments:

  1. Did you get that Revlon mini-set with a blue, a lime green, and a glitter? I looked at the blue in that set and wanted it immediately but didn't get it because I'd already bought the other mini-set. Foolish, foolish me with my self-control! I wonder how that blue (can't recall the name) compares with Blue Lagoon.

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  2. Elizabelle, I did get that, and you're right, the blue does look a lot like Blue Lagoon. I'll have to make a note to compare the two.

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  3. Oh I love the color of Blue Lagoon and that little mini. I was hoping you would say it is really close to Sky since I have that one already. lol

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  4. Riva is the streakiest and I like the Revlon best.

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  5. So beautiful! I love comparisons! Thank you, Karen!

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  6. The first three seem really similar . Either way they're all beauteous .

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  7. I was going to suggest Barry M Blue Moon as another possible dupe. I think it may be closer to the Revlon though, would be great to see a comparison!x

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  8. If I want streaky, I'll use Riva.. ROTFLOL!!

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  9. I just got Blue Lagoon & was wondering how it'd stack up against Sky & Riva. Thanks for being psychic and comparing them =D Blue Lagoon is still my favorite - give me opaque over streaky any day!

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  10. While Riva and Sky look similar, I think Blue Lagoon is the prettiest!

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  11. Hard Candy Sky is the love of my life! :D

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  12. What a shame Riva has such a bad application (thank you for showing us), my favorite here is Blue Lagoon :-)

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  13. Makes me want to hunt down that Revlon polish! <3

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  14. Blue lagoon is gorgeous I like it more than the barry m one :)

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  15. I still love my Riva even though it is difficult to apply. If Barry M made a dupe (like they did with Paradozal) I just might have to order 10 bottles!!

    Ohh and I was wondering about the Revlon mini set as well! I didn't pick it up specifically because the blue polish in it looked like Blue Lagoon to me, but I am interested in that lime green color! Let us know if what you find out Karen!

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Thank you for reading and commenting! I greatly appreciate knowing I'm not just talking to myself here. :) I'm moderating most comments now due to the spate of spammers who claim to be looking for sexy times.